After last week’s emotional BBQ, for the season’s second episode, the Real Housewives of Vancouver began to give some of the new housewives a bit more screen time. And while Ioulia and Robin both had some memorable lines, no one got dirtier and more real than new addition Amanda Hansen. Between crying confessions and placenta-inspired drinks, in ‘Drag Queens and Drama Queens,’ the former alcoholic really gave the audience a glimpse into her world as she began to navigate the ins and outs of being a Real Housewife. In this week’s cast blog, Hansen discusses why she joined the show, her decision to be honest no matter what, and why alcoholics are fabulous.

How did you become a Real Housewife?

I was friends with (Jody’s daughter) Mia and she asked if I would be interested in doing it. Frankly, I didn’t have a whole lot going on — I’d just stayed home with my kids for the last 11 years — and I just thought it might be fun so I said, ‘Hey, sign me up!’

Had you seen the first season?

When Mia asked me the first season hadn’t aired yet so I didn’t exactly know what I was getting into.

What did you think when it aired?

I definitely had reservations. Seeing how people were portrayed and knowing I would be going in as Mia’s friend and potentially being friends with Jody, I just kind of assumed people would hate me.

Why’s that?

I felt that Jody was misrepresented and I thought that that would follow suit for me.

Two episodes in to Season 2, do you feel you’ve been accurately represented?

Yeah, I feel it’s fairly accurate to who I am. It’s not easy to hide who you truly are but some people are really really good at it.

How does the experience compare to how you imaged it would be?

I don’t find it as cool. Watching other people seems so much more entertaining than watching myself.

This episode focuses pretty heavily on your life, particularly your struggles with alcoholism. Was that something you were comfortable sharing in front of the cameras?

I went into this show with the mindset that I was going to try my hardest to be myself and treat my interviews as, if I would say this to my best friend, whether it was good or bad or something that I wouldn’t tell anybody else, I was going to say it to the camera.

You weren’t worried about letting the audience in to potentially embarrassing moments?

I’m used to being judged. Frankly, I’m OK with the millions of people that are going to judge me if there’s going to be a few that it will help.

You opened up about a personal loss. That couldn’t have been easy.

I was going through a tough time in my life while we were filming. I’d just lost my very, very close friend. She’s just committed suicide. It was devastating and it rattled my whole world. That was where I was at.

I’m always at some crossroad where I’m learning something in life. For me, this show was an opportunity to always let the world know that I’m learning something. I’m experiencing something. And letting them experience it with me and grow with me.

In last week’s blog, Ronnie said she felt she was misrepresented as an alcoholic.

If Ronnie’s an alcoholic, I think that would be great. I think alcoholics are fabulous. I think we’re a rare breed and we’re extraordinarily cool. As long as we can rope it in we’re very blessed people.

You met your boyfriend, Kyle, in rehab. How did he feel about appearing on the show?

It was up to him whether he wanted to do it. To be honest, the second that I committed to doing it he was all about doing it as well. It was shocking, even to me, to hear that he was totally into it. He’s a bit of a ham and likes the attention.

Did you ever run into Season 1 vet Christina in rehab?

No comment. (laughs)

Ronnie also mentioned that some of the old Housewives were trying to sway the new cast members onto their side.

You could definitely see that happening. Particularly with one person. Someone was a little bit freakishly worried that they would be left alone. It was obvious that there was some desperation was going on.

You managed to build a lot of bridges this episode. Should we expect some fights going forward?

Yes, you should absolutely expect a lot of fights.

We end up bonding throughout the whole thing and I think at the end of it we became better friends than during filming. It’s better now than we were doing it. It was a pretty rough road, that’s for sure.